Higher - From September 2013 - Specimen - OCR

A664/02 Mark Scheme SPECIMEN
Question Answer Marks Guidance
6 (a) Robert Louis Stevenson: The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
24
Poole has summoned Utterson to Jekyll’s house in the terrified belief that
there has been foul play. In the extract Utterson takes responsibility for forcing
their way into Jekyll’s cabinet, laying ambush to it. Violent action is expected,
and the weapons to be used become more dangerous, beginning with sticks
and moving on to poker and axe. The scud over the moon, the sporadic
draughts of wind and darkness make the setting particularly graphic. They
wait silently, hearing, in addition to the busy hum of London, the ominous
footfall “up and down up and down”. That this fearful thing cried like a woman
or a lost soul increases the drama. The climax is reached as the owner of the
footfall is revealed as Hyde, and the order to smash down the door is given.
(This is a scene which, as Stevenson writes it, lends itself to realisation as
cinema.) There is mystery, suspense, horror, foul weather, contrast of sound
and silence, and melodramatic, exclamatory language (“there’s blood foully
shed in every step of it!”).
Basic responses here will comment on
the context and the passage. Sound
responses will show a reasonably
sustained understanding of the
excitement and drama here and offer
comment on some aspect of Stevenson’s
language. Responses will move into the
higher bands as discussion of the way
Stevenson generates excitement and
drama becomes more detailed and better
supported. The best responses here will
show insight into and personal
engagement with what is exciting about
the extract.
6 (b) Robert Louis Stevenson: The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
24
It will be difficult for much blame to fall on Mr Hyde for Dr Jekyll’s downfall and
death, since it was Dr Jekyll himself who, through his experimentation,
brought Mr Hyde to life. Good responses are likely to draw heavily on Dr
Jekyll’s Full Statement Of The Case, which contains Jekyll’s own assessment
of his character and motives. It is possible that Jekyll might have liberated a
saint-like Mr Hyde whom he could summon up for deeds of philanthropy,
returning to Dr Jekyll after carrying out actions of admirable benevolence.
However, Jekyll has a dark side to his personality which he has indulged, and
by liberating his Hyde side can exercise his depravity without fear of
detection. Arguably, Hyde might be blamed for breaking out of Jekyll’s control,
for the actions he commits, and for the pleasure he takes in performing them.
Of course, Hyde is part of Jekyll, and thoughtful and sensitive responses may
argue that Jekyll is to blame for having Hyde as part of his own personality, or
possibly admire Jekyll’s willingness to experiment.
Basic responses will make relevant
comments on Dr Jekyll’s character and
motives. Better ones will offer a
reasonably developed consideration of
who bears responsibility. They will move
through the bands as personal
engagement and textual support become
more developed. The best will explore,
with skill and insight, exactly how
Stevenson’s writing makes the matter of
responsibility particularly interesting.
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